Northside Health Library

Metopic ridge

Definition

A metopic ridge is an abnormal shape of the skull. The ridge can be seen on the forehead.

Considerations

The skull of an infant is made up of bony plates that allow for growth of the skull. The place where these plates connect are called sutures or suture lines. They do not close up until the second or third year of life.

Metopic ridge occurs when the two bony plates in the front skull join together too early.

The metopic suture remains unclosed throughout life in 1 in 10 people.